Earlier this year, last season’s U10s won the Prima Tiger Cup in front of a packed stadium and this year’s U10s are following in their footsteps, having booked their place in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Cheered on by a large number of travelling fans, Oakham beat 2010 winners Silhillians from Solihull by three tries to one. They then watched Manu Tuilagi and Julian Salvi score the tries for Tigers in their 23-19 victory over French giants Clermont Auvergne in Europe’s Heineken Cup.

Oakham U10s coach Oliver Hunter was delighted by his young charges’ quarter final victory, saying: “Silhillians are really strong opposition.

“Where we did really well was getting the ball wide and keeping it tight. There were very few errors.

“To play at Tigers is massive. One of the boys, when he found out he was playing, said his dream was coming true. It means a huge amount for them to play at Welford Road in front a crowd before a big Heineken Cup game. It’s hallowed ground.”

More than 50 clubs from around the country entered the competition, which is now in its 18th year, and Oakham will be joined in the last four by Bury St Edmunds, Stourbridge and Derbyshire side Melbourne.

The semi-finals will be played at Welford Road on the weekend of January 21, before Tigers take on Aironi in the Heineken Cup.

Tickets for Tigers’ clash with Aironi Rugby, and all of the home games this season, are available from the club ticket office at Welford Road, the club store in Market Street, Leicester, on the hotline 0844 856 1880 and online at www.leicestertigers.com.